It has been revealed that young actor Hayase Ikoi, who co-starred with Yui Aragaki in the film "Ikoku Nikki" and appeared in the Getsuku TV drama "Saba-kan, Uchuu e Iku," will be starring in his first solo leading role in the film "Noroi no Smartphone" (directed by Yamamoto Tamaki), which will be released on November 13th. The film is an original horror work depicting the terror brought about by a smartphone found in an old school building, and co-stars include Airu Kubozuka Airu and Idegami Baku.
This original film, also starring Hayase, is written by director Tamaki Yamamoto, who also wrote the screenplay for the year-long hit film "Watching the Stars This Summer." The story follows high school students who find a smartphone in their old school building. After witnessing a creepy video playing on its screen, they begin receiving anonymous death notices. One by one, they are brutally murdered by this digital cursed object, the "cursed smartphone"...a horror film.
Hayase plays Sakaki Yura, a lonely high school girl who has closed herself off emotionally after a certain incident. She ends up cleaning the old school building, which is off-limits to the public, with her classmates, and when she finds a dilapidated smartphone there, she becomes entangled in a tragedy...
Kubozuka will play Rion Kusakabe, a leader who tries to stand up against the crumbling peace without abandoning his sense of justice, while Ideue will play Kaoru Shinomiya, who has a solitary and unique aura. It was also announced that Arisa Sakamaki, Mamoru Hagiwara, Masahiro Sunada from "BALLISTIK BOYZ", and Sono Hiramatsu will appear in the film.
The movie "The Cursed Smartphone" is scheduled to be released on November 13th.
◇Comment from Director/Screenwriter: Tamaki Yamamoto
In stark contrast to "Watching the Stars This Summer," a coming-of-age film about high school students who connect online to watch the stars, this film sees high school students connected by smartphones being dragged into the depths of terror. We live in an era where communication requires us to use multiple selves. Information, emotions, memories, relationships—smartphones connect us unconsciously, functionally, and in a chain reaction. Will you reject it, or will you accept it? We are constantly exposed to someone's gaze. If you feel that way, you may already be cursed by the smartphone that has unknowingly slipped into your pocket.
◇Comment from Hayase Ikoi (as Sakaki Yura)
I'm Hayase Ikoi, and I played the lead role of Sakaki Yura. Under the direction of the trusted director Yamamoto Tamaki, and together with the staff of the Yamamoto team and the cast members I respect, I was able to enjoy filming a new kind of horror. Contrary to how it was during filming, when I first saw the finished film, I was overwhelmed by a series of terrifying events that felt like they were coming at me, and my heart wouldn't stop pounding. Various horrors unfold through the familiar medium of smartphones... I really want everyone to experience that terror on the big screen!
◇Comment from Airu Kubozuka(playing the role of Rion Kusakabe)
The character I played, Rion, is serious, has a strong sense of justice, and is a leader among the cast. He's usually a student who never causes any trouble, but after a certain incident, he gets caught up in the inexplicable events happening at school. What I personally like about "The Cursed Smartphone" is that all the cast members play their unique and captivating roles. I think it's filled with surprises and horrors that are completely different from any horror movie before. I really hope you'll watch this film that we put our hearts and souls into.
◇Comment from Baku Idegami (who plays the role of Kaoru Shinomiya)
The character I played, Kaoru, is a somewhat solitary and unique individual. I felt that she possesses strong convictions and can be honest with someone she can't ignore, so I carefully expressed each of her emotions. Perhaps the reason I'm drawn to horror isn't the fear itself, but the fact that beyond it I can encounter my own heart. This film beautifully portrays such human loneliness and wavering. I hope you will experience its lingering impact in the theater.
◇Comment from Arisa Sakamaki (who plays the role of Chiaki Kazami)
Hello everyone! I'm Arisa Sakamaki, and I played the role of Chiaki. I absolutely love horror movies and I'm usually immersed in horror, but after watching "The Cursed Smartphone," I was so shocked that I couldn't return to reality for several minutes, haha. I spent several hours just holding my breath at Director Yamamoto's skill. It's a movie that will make you feel an incredible sense of horror! I also want you to pay attention to the immersive music. Please enjoy it and fully immerse yourself in horror!
◇Comment from Mamoru Hagiwara (as Soma Takatsuki)
Following "Watching the Stars This Summer," I had the opportunity to participate in another project with Director Yamamoto. With Director Yamamoto's energy pushing me forward, the filming progressed in a very good atmosphere, and I was able to act freely. I hope that this film will be enjoyed by people of all ages, but I am especially curious to see how it will be received by people younger than me.
I would be delighted if you could see it in theaters.
◇Comment from Masahiro Sunada (playing the role of Ryusei Hayashi)
My name is Masahiro Sunada, and I played the role of Ryusei Hayashi in the movie "The Cursed Smartphone." I've always been a scaredy-cat and I'm not good with scary things, and I'm the type of person who absolutely cannot watch horror movies alone, but I thought it would be okay if I was on the acting side, so I took on the challenge of filming!
I play a hot-headed, muscle-obsessed character, and there are many scenes where I put my body on the line, so I hope you'll pay attention to my muscles, facial expressions, and the creepy movements of my body! I've already seen the finished product, and even though I know what happens next, it was so scary that I had to close my eyes! Lol But it's not just scary; it's a wonderful film that also has elements of emotion and beauty! I hope it reaches many people.
◇Comment from Sono Hiramatsu (as Kotoha Hanai)
I'm Hiramatsu Sono, and I play the role of Hanai Kotoha. This was my first time filming a movie, and I'm so glad that my first project was this one. During filming, and even when I watched the finished film, I was repeatedly struck by the meticulous direction and the world it created. I hope you'll pay attention to the message embedded in this film, the story that unfolds by tracing many points, and the unique characters. Please immerse yourself in this "horror" at the theater.
